[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

  (Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
deep concern over the lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland 
Security. Every single day that we fail to provide DHS with the 
necessary resources, the risks facing the American people dramatically 
increase.
  The security of our homeland should never be a bargaining chip. 
Instead of prioritizing the safety of the American people, Democrats 
have chosen to weaponize the appropriations process for political 
leverage. This is not how our Democracy was founded to operate. 
Americans continue to bear the consequences of Democrats engaging in 
political theater.
  As we return to the floor for a vote, Members of Congress must set 
aside partisan agendas and personal politics. Our first duty is to 
protect the citizens that we serve.
  With the war in Iran, we have reached an increase in global 
instability. In moments like this, we should be strengthening our 
Homeland Security posture and not allowing it to lapse.
  An unfunded Department of Homeland Security sends the wrong message 
to our adversaries and leaves our homeland vulnerable. It is neither a 
safe nor responsible act. It is a failure of Congress not to have met 
one of its most fundamental obligations.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve better. The American people 
deserve leadership that puts their safety first. It is time to end the 
theatrics. It is time to fund DHS. It is time to fulfill and protect 
this Nation.


                         recognizing jordan ott

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a native 
of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, Jordan Ott, who is the head coach of 
the Phoenix Suns.
  As a three-sport athlete at McConnellsburg High School, Coach Ott has 
always dreamed of working for a professional sports team. That goal was 
recognized in 2013 when he joined the Atlanta Hawks as a video 
coordinator.
  Coach Ott went on to serve as an assistant coach with three NBA 
teams. Last June, he was hired as the head coach of the Suns, where he 
was named NBA's Western Conference Coach of the Month for January.
  A former high school teammate described Coach Ott as someone who will 
accomplish everything and take credit for nothing. What a coach.
  That is a character trait worth emulating by individuals throughout 
all of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. In fact, it is worth 
emulating throughout all of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer best wishes to Coach Ott for continued success 
that exceeds his incredible expectations that will continue to rise 
throughout the NBA.


         Honoring Snider Family of Bedford County, Pennsylvania

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Snider 
family of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on the selection of their 
operation as a recipient of the National Beef Quality Assurance Award.
  Singing Brook Farm is a third-generation farm currently managed by 
Ross Snider and his sister Greta Halahan.
  Founded by Obie and Mary Ann Snider in 1951, Singing Brook Farms was 
later operated by their son, Bruce. Notably, Singing Brook Farms is an 
established leader in education and advocacy.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Snider family on receiving the 
National Beef Quality Assurance Award. Their commitment to agriculture 
continues to benefit all of the constituents of Pennsylvania's 13th 
Congressional District.


      Honoring Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary FIRST LEGO League Team

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise 
to honor the Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary FIRST LEGO League Team that 
captured the championship in the Best Robot Design category during 
regional competition.
  What is most impressive about the achievement of these fifth and 
sixth graders is that they were the first LEGO Club at Claysburg-Kimmel 
Elementary that only formed last fall.
  During the competition, students demonstrated their robot creations 
and offered presentations on how their robots would function in real-
world settings.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate this team from Claysburg-Kimmel, their 
teachers and coaches Suzanne Wicker and Brandon Ickes, as well as 
elementary school principal Kevin Edmondson and Superintendent Darren 
McLaurin on this incredible achievement. Best wishes for continued 
success.

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